zdask
Home
/
Crime & Law
/
AJ Freund’s Parents Plead Not Guilty in His Beating Death
AJ Freund’s Parents Plead Not Guilty in His Beating Death-April 2024
Apr 29, 2025 11:19 AM

JoAnn Cunningham, left, and Andrew Freund Sr. have each been charged in the murder of their 5-year-old son, Andrew "AJ" Freund. A criminal complaint filed Thursday, April 25, 2019, outlines first-degree murder, aggravated battery and several other charges against the couple. A judge set bail at $5 million for each parent. (McHenry County Sheriff's Department via AP)JoAnn Cunningham, left, and Andrew Freund Sr. have each been charged in the murder of their 5-year-old son, Andrew "AJ" Freund. A criminal complaint filed Thursday, April 25, 2019, outlines first-degree murder, aggravated battery and several other charges against the couple. A judge set bail at $5 million for each parent. (McHenry County Sheriff's Department via AP)

WOODSTOCK, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois mother and father have pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the beating death of their 5-year-old son.

JoAnn Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr. of Crystal Lake appeared in McHenry County court Friday, the day after a 30-page grand jury indictment was handed down in the case.

Police found Andrew “AJ” Freund’s body last month in a shallow grave, nine days after authorities say he was beaten to death and a week after his parents reported him missing.

McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt granted a defense request for a psychological exam of Freund. The judge also said a gag order request from both parents’ attorneys was too broad.

Court records show the parents forced AJ to take a cold shower as punishment for lying about soiling his underwear.

Related stories:

Illinois Lawmakers Vow to Fix Lapses in Child Welfare System

AJ Freund’s Parents Agree to Give Up Custody of Other Son

New Timeline Details Years of Abuse Allegations Before AJ Freund’s Death

Missing Crystal Lake Boy's Buried Body Found, Parents Charged

Mother of Missing Crystal Lake 5-Year-Old Not Talking to Police

Trial Date Set for Man in Missing Timmothy Pitzen Hoax

Comments
Welcome to zdask comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Crime & Law
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zdask.com All Rights Reserved